Location

Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) has installed solar
photo voltaic (PV) units at 15 sites across Queensland and reduced
its grid energy consumption and associated carbon emissions by
around 30 per cent on average.

AACO is the oldest continuously operating company in Australia
and is a world-leading provider of beef and agricultural
products.

AACo says the solar program is part of its plans to implement
sustainable environmental management that protects and enhances the
resources that support its production systems and help them secure
their long-term future.

The savings from the project and revenue streams it generates
will cover the capital and financing costs, keeping capital
available for other business developments.

AACo's stations are spread across Queensland and the Northern
Territory including properties at Julia Creek, Normanton, Surat and
Comet.

At one of the sites, Aronui Feedlot near Dalby, the long-term
cost of energy has reduced by 50 per cent, providing AACo with a 50
per cent hedge against future price increases. The ROI on the
capital cost of $196,000 for this site is 21 per cent.

The CEFC provided a $500,000 loan facility for the solar PV
project, with NAB financing the balance of the $937,000 project
cost.